About Us
WHY BACK TO LIFE RECOVERY CENTER?
There are over 14,000 outpatient addiction clinics in the United States and that number continues to increase. This does not include individual psychiatrists, psychologists, inpatient programs, and 12-step programs. Out of all of these, we believe you should choose Back to Life Recovery Center. We utilize a unique approach to helping individuals recover from addiction by getting to the source of the problem. Addiction is merely the symptom of an underlying or, as the case may be, overwhelming problem. Without getting to the root of the problem – the individual’s unique issues – the addiction will persist regardless of how much treatment an addict has or how many meetings they attend. Our treatment program is tailored for each individual so that they learn the right communication and coping skills to foster relationships and enjoy long-term sobriety.
Addictions counseling as a specialty is relatively new. It has, traditionally, been associated with 12-step recovery programs. While 12-step programs have been shown to be an effective way of helping people to continue their recovery beyond the end of their formal recovery treatment (e.g., detox, outpatient, residential), these programs are not effective when used as the initial treatment of someone with a substance use disorder (“SUD”).
Generally speaking, depending on someone’s specific diagnosed SUD, a structured inpatient or outpatient treatment program is, initially, where the most significant and meaningful portions of their treatment will take place. At Back to Life Recovery Center, we understand how crucial the early stages of recovery are and have designed an Intensive Outpatient Program (“IOP”) that will ensure individuals – adults and adolescents — get the most out their treatment.
Entering an IOP for an SUD is not an easy decision. In fact, it may be the most difficult decision that a person ever makes. It takes the acknowledgment or recognition by the addict or someone important to them that they have an addiction issue and that the substance (ab)use is and has been interfering with the addict’s life and relationships.
In a typical 12-step program, the first thing that is usually addressed is stopping the use of the substance being abused. This is usually followed by a regiment of group therapy in an effort to keep people focused on adhering to that program’s established, one-size-fits-all 12-step process and going to Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings. In SUD recovery, one size does not fit all. Our program is unique in that we have the ability to and do customize each person’s recovery process to their individual needs based upon a detailed psychosocial analysis. We believe every person who comes through our doors has their own addiction story and their own needs for ongoing recovery.
When our Director of Substance Abuse Counseling, Lori O’Leary, MA, LPC, LCADC, SAC, ACS, began her private practice over two decades ago, it stemmed from her dislike of the cookie-cutter approach many of the treatment programs at which she had previously worked used. Lori found that every person she counseled had a different set of circumstances and personal issues that caused them to become addicted to drugs or alcohol. While some of her clients told stories that sounded similar, Lori realized that the similarities were more about their substances of choice and how they affected the people around them while they were becoming addicted. However, each person’s struggles – the “why” of their substance abuse – were unique to them. Further, formulating treatment plans that the programs used that were standardized forms did not feel genuine or sincere to Lori. Her goal became to understand each person and their own personal strengths and weaknesses in order to formulate their individualized treatment plan.
Lori has now taken her then-unique treatment philosophy and started a more intensive addiction treatment program. Back to Life Recovery Center was started using the same principles Lori used to start her private practice and the knowledge and experience she gained therein. She has vowed never to use a one-size-fits-all approach to planning someone’s treatment; each person’s plan for treatment will be based upon that person’s specific needs, wants, and circumstances.
When an individual comes to Back to Life Recovery Center, we will work with them, assisting them to get back to the life they want and deserve to get back to. A better, more-rewarding life, with more-effective ways of coping with difficulties, managing relationships, and understanding their authentic self.
It is critical to understand that SUD’s do not just impact the addicted individual; everyone around them is affected, and in different ways. Accordingly, individuals and their loved ones will participate in therapy in order to promote the healing of the entire family. Everyone has their own set of issues that are amplified by the addicted person’s behaviors and emotions. Everyone in the family needs to not only to heal from their experience of their loved one’s addiction, but also heal by learning new coping strategies and better relationship skills. Our goal is to restore people to better, more loving relationship in which more-skillful communication enables their families to find long-lasting serenity within their homes.
At Back to Life Recovery Center, individuals learn that they are worth sobriety.